Last issue, Alpha One - "America's First and Only Superhero" - asked Cole - new head of Section Omega, the task force/institution associated with Alpha One - to basically create a cover story for Alpha's killing of the perpetrators responsible for the murder of a close friend of his. Shortly after he accidentally causes the death of a mother while foiling a bank robbery.

In this issue, Alpha One tears up at the sight of the young orphan's shock. Cole, "America's orphan", deftly comforts the boy. This sequence is rather touching and demonstrates the emotional complexity of the main characters. Those first pages and the few following ones taking place at Cole's wife's - Janet's - bar took me on a seriously compelling emotional roller coaster. The marital tension that Cole's new job is creating is implied by the writer and felt by the characters but never overtly acknowledged. Which is exactly how it happens isn't it? Fine writing here!

The following scene takes Cole to Alpha One's secret headquarters where the origins and/or motivation of the superhero seem to be ambiguously put into question. Alpha One appears insecure, possessive. Sometimes compassionate and then cold and distant. Or is he simply preoccupied? Cole doesn't seem to see what the reader does. He's too busy trying not to die in Alpha One's "sanctuary". The foreboding sense that all is not as it seems is palpable. There is so much implied tension! Even in the imagery. Such as Cole's hand receiving the Alpha brand at his inauguration. Everything has a friendly/creepy vibe. An unexpected tension. So subtle!

We then move to a elegantly written "slice of married life" sequence which is rudely interrupted by Alpha crashing in through the window. Either the hand signal was accidentally tripped by Cole applying ice to it for relief from a burn or Alpha One is just really, really, really concerned for Cole. Again, one isn't entirely certain here. But there does seem to be a hell of a lot of foreshadowing going on!

The art services the story very well. Big rich pools of ink establish mood in a bar and at a chemical fire. Blinding yellows express the oppressive nature of a press conference. Jade greens and skewed perspectives for an "alien" sanctuary. And the consistently drawn characters look and emote like people you and I know. It adds to the quiet drama and sucks you right in.

For it's sincerely true-to-life depiction of married life, it's incrementally consuming sense of tense dread and it's emotional resonance I give The Mighty #3 POW status.